Can’t Wait to Tie the Knot: A Panicked Family Evening When Our Daughter Announces She’s Getting Marr…

Cant Wait to Get Married

Mike, will you be home soon?
Nearly there. Im just finishing up.
Dont be long! We need to talk.
Something happened? I asked anxiously.
Well, not exactly not yet, but we need to talk, replied my wife, Sarah, obviously agitated yet with no sign of disaster.

Fifteen minutes later, I was already unlocking the front door to our flat in Manchester.

So, whats happened? I asked cautiously as I stepped inside.
Go get changed and wash up, dont drop everything and try to save the world just yet, she said, kissing me and nudging me towards the bathroom.

Soon, Id changed, scrubbed my hands, and wandered out into the lounge, where Sarah beckoned me toward our daughters room. Maisie sat on her bed, arms crossed, her eyes red from crying.

So come on, whats going on? I tried to keep calm.
Ask your daughter, Sarah huffed, Go on, Maisie, tell your dad what youve cooked up!

Maisie just pouted harder and turned towards the window, clearly reluctant to open up.

All right, ladies, I said, rapping my hand on the desk with a good bit more force, Either you tell me plainly whats upno melodrama or theatrical pausesor you can deal with it yourselves, and Ill go put my feet up after work!

Well, theres a wedding in the cards, Sarah announced sarcastically. Right now. No waiting!

Sorry, what? I blinked. Actually getting married? To whom, if I may ask?

Maisie kept her lips sealed, so Sarah had to answer for her.
Oliver Harris. You know, the spotty, bespectacled one? Been around quite a lot recently.

Ah, Harris So, Maisie?
Maisie stayed silent, arms folded.

I sighed, Right, listen, love, drop the silent routine. Do I need to start dancing in front of you to get something out of you?

Were in love! Maisie burst out suddenly. Me and Olly. Hes wonderful and were getting married!

Well, that clears a few things up, I said, rubbing my temples, You go to uni together, right?

Yeah, same course.

First year, I muttered, somewhere between resignation and understanding. Kids

Were not kids! Maisie snapped. Were both eighteen. Were adults.

Fine. So, as adults, lets talk like adults.

I dont want to talk! Youre just going to say were too young, we should wait, get sorted, see if its real love and all that. But you never get it: were in love! You want to crush that!

Im not out to crush anyone, darling, I sighed. I just want to understand. You and Oliver love each other, yes? Maisie nodded fiercely. You both want to get marriedboth of you?

Dont slag off Olly, Dad. He wants to get married as well.

All right. So, you want to get married. Where will you live? How will you pay the bills? Have you thought about this?

That doesnt matter! If we have love, everything else will sort itself out! she declared earnestly.

Maisie, how old are you? I asked quietly. Because you dont sound first year universitymore like first year of school! Love or not, youve still got to live somewhere and eat, right? Whats the big rush? Why get married tomorrow, are your feet on fire? Nobodys got anything against Oliver. Lets have him round, have a chat, meet his family, yeah, Sarah?

Absolutely right, darling. But theres one small twist They really are in a hurry.

Oh? Is Oliver being shipped into the army? I thought students werent called up?

No, not the armyand not Oliver. Maisie, anything I should be saying here?

Im not staying quiet, Maisie muttered, Me and Olly were having a baby.

Oh, I breathed out, Didnt see that one coming. So, whats the plan?

Get married! Have the baby! And dont you dare try to talk me into into anything else! Our baby is going to live!

Right, calm down. No ones forcing you into anything. Well figure this out. Are Olivers parents up to speed?

He said hed talk to them tonight, and Id do the same with you

And? Has he rung up to tell you how it went?

N-not yet

All right, when he does, let me know. Meanwhile, can I please have some dinner before I faint from hunger and your drama?

Sarah reheated leftovers and set a plate in front of me.
What are we going to do? she murmured.

I honestly dont know, I admitted. Lets wait and see what his parents say. Maybe, with everyone together, we can reach some kind of solution

Just as I finished eating, Maisie got a text: bad news. Olivers parents were dead against it. Apparently, the talk with them had been tense, ending in a blazing row. Not good.

Fifteen minutes later, Maisie crept into the lounge, clutching her mobile.
Its Olivers mum. She wants to talk to one of you

Sarah crossed her arms, stepping back.
Darling, would you do the honours? I cant face it.

I shot Sarah a look, but I picked up the phone and hit speaker, putting a finger to my lips.

Hello, this is Maisies fatherMichael Thompson.

Linda. Olivers mother. Our son told us youre aware of whats going on. Apparently, he and your daughter are dating, which, judging by her condition, has gone further than wed like. And theyve got these big plans. Soyou know, yes?

Yes, weve spoken to Maisie.

Good. Then let me make it clear: we are absolutely against these grand plans her voice dripped sarcasm Our Oliver needs to focus on studying, get a degree, make a future. Marriage and a baby in his first year? Not a chance.

We didnt exactly plan on urgent wedding bells either, but Maisie is having a childyour sons child, if youll excuse my bluntness. What do you propose we do?

Thats your problem, Mr. Thompson. First, Im not even certain its our Olivers child. Second, even if it is, were not falling for the old trickrushed marriage, then a baby, all because youre in a situation. I know girls like your Maisie are keen to marry upespecially since Olivers not a scrounger, has a good home and prospects. I get it, woman to woman. But Ill do everything I can to keep my son away from this drama. Thats not just my viewmy husband agrees. Weve spoken to Oliver, and hes seen sense. Please tell your daughter not to contact him again. Whether she has an abortion or keeps it, thats nothing to do with us. Goodbye.

The phone clicked off.

I looked at Sarah and Maisie and said heavily, You heard all that? Well, then. Absolutely notno talk of getting rid of it; nobodys harming an innocent child, and it could put your health at risk. Nothing tragic here. When the time comes, youll take a break from uni and go back laterothers have managed, youre not alone. Well support you financially and help with the baby. And as for them well deal with them. Scoundrels! But all right, have some tea, have a cry if you need, but not for too long. Well get through.

I drew Sarah aside and whispered, Why dont you have Maisie with you tonight? Shell need you, and you can have a heart to heart. Ill sleep in her room.

An hour later, the doorbell went.
Now who on earth is that at this hour? I groaned, heading to answer.

Soon, I ushered a spotty, bespectacled young man into the lounge.
Olly! Maisie ran straight into his arms. Youve come for me?

I have. Mr and Mrs ThompsonIm here to take Maisie with me.

And where do you plan on going? I asked.

Not sure yet. Well rent a place, I suppose. Were adults now, so Id rather you didnt stand in the way. Maisie, will you come?

Of course! Anywhere you go!

Hang on, you two. I held up a hand. A couple of questions. Your mum says your whole familyincluding youdoesnt agree.

Not exactly, Mr. Thompson. Thats my mums decision. Dad just goes along with it because, well, he always does. I only pretended to agree so they wouldnt cut me off. Soon as I could, I grabbed my wallet, passport and bank card, and here I am.

I see! And you plan to rent a flat and live on what, exactly?

Ive saved up, been working evenings. Plus, I run a YouTube channel, got a few followers. Should be enough to cover rent and food for a couple of monthsmaybe more.

Thats impressive, honestly. I turned to Sarah, What do you think? Let them go?

Im not sure Its so late

Right. Not the best plan to leave now. Heres what well do. Youre getting married?

Yes! both replied instantly.

And keeping the baby?

Same answer.

Well support you if you agree to a few conditions. OneOliver, you try to mend things with your parents, and Maisie backs you up. Tonight, Oliver, you stay here with usno running about in the night. Youll sleep in the loungeits only proper, youre just Maisies friend for now. Message your folks that youre staying with friends. Later, youll break the full truth to thembut no more rows. No leaving university! Especially you, Oliver. Maisie can take leave for the baby and catch up later. Well help as much as we can with money and the baby, but we cant do everything for you. Wedding for now should be low-keybetter keep your savings. Later, when youre ready, you can have the big celebration. Agreed?

Yes, said Oliver at once.

Maisie hesitated. I just wanted a real wedding, with a dress, a car, family and friends.

Not the time, love, said Oliver. Well do it quietly, then after a year or so, have the proper do.

Fine, as you want

Right, I said, everyone clear on the plan? Time for bed. Early start tomorrow.

Later, as I poured myself a glass of water in the kitchen, Sarah slipped in.

Mike, Ive got to askhow did you turn round so quickly?

Round, you say? After speaking to that she-dragon of a mother, I was boiling. Then this mummys boy shows updidnt look like much. But hes a real man, stood his ground, didnt bail. Thats the sort of man Id trust my daughter with.

Youre always spot on, love, she smiled, kissing me before going off to see everyone settled for the night.